Police signal system.



A. K. DEMENT.

POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLIOATIONYPILED 001 .12, 1910.

Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

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WITWIESSES INVENTOR PP a i.mw9:,

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A. K. DEMENT.

POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED 00112, 1910.

1,007,544. Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

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WITNESSES INVENTOR I (L, f. (9M aZdz/w v W V QMRRWYQWJM, 21in (111m COLUMBIA PLANUGRAPH co., WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. p

ALFRED K. DEMENT, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIG-NOR TO UNITED STATES POLICE AND FIRE SIGNAL COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPO- RATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED K. DEMENT, a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Police Signal Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuits; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of one of the patrol boxes; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the box with the outer door removed; Fig. 4. is a similar view with the inner door removed and showing the location of certain of the parts; and Fig. 5 is a section on the line VV of Fig. 3.

My invention has relation to police signal systems, which may also be employed as a fire signal system, and is designed to provide a simple signal system, whereby police oflicers or patrolmen may be called to the patrol boxes from the central oifice; to provide means whereby a fire alarm may be sent in from any patrol box through the nearest fire alarm box; to provide means whereby a message may be sent out from the central office and recorded in one or more of the patrol boxes; and to provide an improved patrol box having means whereby the patrolman or other police ofiicer can send in any desired message to headquarters, and which also is provided with means whereby the ofiicer can, if desired, keep a light on a prisoner while communicating with the central office or headquarters.

The nature of my invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated the preferred embodiment thereof and which will now be described, it being premised, however, that various changes can be made in the details of construction and arrangement and in the various circuit connections by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

The letter A in Fig. 1 indicates a central oflice and B indicates a patrol box.

2 and 3 designate two conductors, which are common to a series of patrol boxes, the several patrol boxes being connected in parallel across these conductors. These con- 6, the movable contacts of this switch normally engaging the inner relatively fixed contacts 7. The operators circuit 6 may be provided with any of the usual instruments. The switch 4 by means of the outer contacts 8, with which the movable contacts are engaged, is also arranged to connect a source 9 of alternating current across the conductors 2 and 3. This source of alternating current is in the present instance shown as an alternator generator connected to ground at one side.

10 is a battery or other source of direct current, whichis connected in parallel with the alternator 9, and is arranged to be connected to a third line conductor 11, through a switch 12. This switch, as shown in Fig. 1 connects the source 10 with the third line conductor 11, this being the normal position of the switch. When moved to its other indicated position, it connects the alternator 9 with the'- third conductor 11.

C designates a signaling instrument which is located in the patrol box and by means of which a patrolman or otheroflicer can call central office, sending in his box number and also any other special call, such as wagon riot fire etc. This instrument is provided with an operating lever or handle 13, which is normally in the position shown in Fig. 1, and which is connected to a shaft 14 carrying a gear wheel 15, which meshes with a pinion 16, on a parallel shaft 17, the gear 15 and pinion 16 being shown in dotted lines in order not to hide the other parts. The lever 13 is connected to the shaft 14 through a pawl and ratchet device 18, and is also provided with a restoring spring 19. Mounted on the shaft 17 is a disk or wheel 20, having thereon two series of teeth or projections 21, which are arranged to engage respectively the two contacts 22, one of which is connected to the conductor 2 and the other to the conductor 3. The shaft 17 also carries another wheel or disk 23, having thereon a mutilated gear 241, the teeth of which are arranged to engage with a similar gear of a wheel 25, mounted on a parallel shaft 26. This shaft 26 also carries a wheel or disk 27, having projections 28, which are arranged to engage a movable contact 29, and cause it to engage a fixed contact 30. The contacts 29 and 30 are connected in parallel with the contacts 22.

31 is a point or indicator which is connected to the shaft 26 and is arranged to be moved over a dial 32, having a number of points, each of which indicates a special call to be sent to headquarters.

33 is a contact which is designed to be engaged with the pointer or indicator 31, when it is moved to its extreme position and which is connected by a conductor 34 with any suitable tripping apparatus of the nearest fire alarm box (not shown).

35 designates an electric light which is placed in a lantern 36 on the top of the patrol box B, and 37 is a call bell also located in or upon the box and connected in parallel with the lamp 35. A hand switch 38 is preferably provided, whereby either the lamp or the bell may be cut into or out of the circuit. The bell is intended for use in daylight and the lamp at night, and the 0thcer making the last report on a day beat may cut out the bell and cut in the lamp by means of the switch 38, while the night man in making his last report to headquarters in the morning may cut out the lamp and cut in the bell. The lamp and bell are connected at one side by a conductor 39, with the third wire or conductor 11, and are connected on the other side by a conductor 40, with the armature 41, of a relay D. This armature has a contact point 42, which is connected to a conductor 43 with the ground.

44 is an electric light which is placed within the patrol box in such a position that when the door of the box is open, it will throw a light through the open door and upon a prisoner whom the oificer may have i in charge. This lamp is connected in parallel with the lamp 35, and bell 37, and its circuit is controlled by the door of the box, as it is shown in Fig. 5. This door carries a push member 45, which when the door is closed, engages a spring contact 46, and normally holds the circuit of the lamp 44 open. As soon as the door of the box is opened, the contact 46 closes the circuit of the lamp 44.

48 designates a suitable plug switch within the patrol box and which may be controlled by the lever 49. This switch is normally in the position shown in Fig. 1, the movable contacts engaging the inner relatively fixed contacts 50 and 51, but being arranged when thrown to engage the outer relatively fixed contacts 52 and 53. Leading from the contact 50 is a conductor 54, which includes a release coil 55 of the relay D, the circuit extending through this winding, thence through the condenser 56, and thence by a conductor 57 to the contact 51. The right hand movable contact 48 is connected to the coil or winding 58 of a relay E, and thence to a conductor 59, which is connected to the line wire 2, through the conductor 59. The conductor 59 also has a branch extending through the condenser 60, the primary 61 of an induction coil, a telephone transmitter 62 and thence to the contact 53.

63 is the secondary of the induction coil and in the circuit of which is connected a telephone receiver 64.

The left hand movable contact of the switch 48 is connected to the line wire 3 by a conductor 65. The outer contact 52 of the switch 48 is connected by a conductor 66 with a coil 67, of the relay D, and coil 68 of a relay F, coils 67 and 68 being in series and the coil 68 being connected to the circuit containing the primary 61. The relay F has a release coil 69, which is connected at one side to the third wire 11, and at the other side through the condenser 7 O to the ground. The armature 71 of the relay F has a fixed contact 72, which is connected in series with the armature 73 of the relay E and also in series with a printing telegraph instrument 74, and thence to ground.

75 is the release armature of the relay D and 76 is the release armature of the relay F.

The operation is as follows: hen the operator at headquarters desires to call the patrolman to the box, he momentarily operates the switch 4 to throw alternating current into the line wires 2 and 3. This sends current through the coil 55 of the relay D and energizes said relay to cause its armature 41 to drop back against its fixed contact. It also energizes the coil 58 and through the armature 73 momentarily opens the circuit of the printing telegraph instrument 74. The closing of the contact at 42 also closes the circuit of the lamp 35 or bell 37, as the case may be. The operator next moves the switch 12 to connect the source of alternating current 9 with the third wire 11. This either lights the lamp 35 .or rings the bell 37, and the lamp continues to remain lighted or the bell to ring until the patrolman comes to the box and answers the call. This also energizes the coil 69 and drops the armature 71 back against its contact 72 to close the circuit of the recorder 74. It the operator desires to leave a permanent message at the box for the patrolman, he moves the switch 12 to connect in the selector a, which may be of any suitable type, and which is connected with the source 10. The recording circuit is then as follows :from battery 10, through the selector a, switch 12 to line wire 11, to armature 71, to contact 72, to armature 73, and through the recorder 74 to ground. This operates the printing instrument at 74 to record the desired message in a manner similar to the ordinary operation of printing I telegraphs. With the circuits as just described, current cannot pass through the coil 69 to ground because of the condenser 70. As soon as the patrolman reaches the box, he pulls down the handle or lever 13 and sends in his box number, this number being determined by the number of teeth or projections on the wheel or disk 20.

By making the apparatus at different boxes selective, the operator can call any particular box or may call all the boxes on any of the lines. When a patrolman comes to a box without call to communicate with headquarters, he opens the box door and first pulls down the lever 13, thereby sending in a box number. If he also desires to send in any special call, he moves the lever 31 to any desired point on the dial 32. This moves the wheel 25 to such a position that through the nearest firebox, he simply moves the indicator 31 over to the contact 33, and inasmuch as lever 31 is at all times connected to one side of the line circuit, the trip magnet of the fire alarm box will be energized to send in a call. If the patrolman wishes to telephone to headquarters he throws the switch lever 49 to actuate the switch 48. This opens the circuits of the release coil 55 of the relay D. At the same time, he connects in the restoring coils 67 and 68 of the relays D and E, and the armatures of these relays are thereby attracted to their normal positions. This operation of the switch 48 also puts the telephone 62 into circuit, and the patrolman can then talk with headquarters.

It will be seen that the condensers 56 and 7 O prevent the direct current normally fiowing in the conductors 2 and 3 from passing through the respective circuits in which these condensers are connected, so that the release coils of the armatures D and E can be energized only when alternating current is thrown into the line wires 2 and 3 by the switch 4:, the relay D cont-rolling the circuit of the lamps 35 and 4:4, and the relay E controlling through its armature contact the circuit of the recording instrument 7 4c.

The system herein described forms a very complete and simple system, for accomplishing the objects of the invention above stated. It will be noted that the system is a central energy system, no batteries or other source of current being required at the patrol boxes. By means of this system, an oflicer may be called to any particular patrol box, or a general call may be sent out. Any special communication, such as the description of a sus-' pect, lost child, etc., may be sent out from headquarters to all the patrol boxes and recorded by the instrument 74, so that all the patrolmen will receive the message as soon as they arrive at their boxes, without the necessity of the central operator repeating the message by telephone to the difierent boxes.

Other objects and advantages of my invent-ion will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have shown and described my invention as applied to a police signal system, it will be understood that it is applicable to various other signaling purposes in which there are a plurality of call boxes or stations. It will also be understood that in lieu of the particular signaling device which I have shown and described, various other devices may be substituted therefor without changing the general circuit arrangement which constitutes my invention in its broadest aspect; and the terms signal, signal device and the like as used in the claims should be construed in a broad sense to include any means by which intelligence may be communicated in a system of this general character.

I claim:

1. In a signal system, a call box having a grounded signal, normally open circuited, a two-wire circuit leading from a central station to said box, a source of direct current at the central station, a source of alternating current also at the central station, a switch for connecting either of said sources with the two-wire circuit, a relay device-at the call box having a circuit which is responsive to alternating current but irresponsive to direct current, means controlled by the relay device for closing the circuit of the said signal, and a third wire leading from the central station to the said signal; substantially as described.

2. In a recorder system, a call box having a grounded recorder, normally open circuited, a twowire circuit leading from a central station to said box, a source of direct current at the central station, a source of alternating current also at the central station, a switch for connecting either of said sources with the two-wire circuit, a relay device at the call box having a circuit which is responsive to alternating current but irresponsive to direct current, means controlled by the relay device for closing the circuit of the said recorder, and a third wire leading from the central station to the said recorder; substantially as described.

3. In a signal system, a two-wire circuit leading from a central stat-ion, a plurality of signal boxes connected in multiple across said circuit, and having a relay device in such connection, a third wire leading from the central station and having a normally open grounded connection through each box,

and a signal device in the grounded connection of each box, said relay device being arranged to close the circuit of the signal device; substantially as described.

I. In a signal system, a two-wire circuit leading from a central station, a plurality of signal boxes connected in multiple and having a relay device in such connection, a third wire leading from the central station and having a normally open grounded connection through each box, and a signal device in the grounded connection of each box, said relay device being arranged to close the circuit of the signal device, and means at the central station for energizing the two-wire circuit with either one of two kinds of current, the relay device being re sponsive to but one of said currents; substantially as described.

5. In a. signal system, a two-wire circuit leading from a central station, a plurality of signal boxes connected in multiple across said circuit and having a relay device in such connect-ion, a third wire leading from the central station and having a normally open grounded connection through each box, a signal device in the grounded con nection of each box, said relay device being arranged to close the circuit of the signal device, and means at the central station for energizing the two-wire circuit with either one of two kinds of current, the relay device being responsive to but one of said currents, each box also having other signal mechanism, and means for connecting the same into the two-wire circuit; substantially as described.

6. In a signal system, a two-wire circuit leading from a central station, a plurality of call boxes each having a relay device connected across said circuit, means at the central station for energizing said circuit with either of two kinds of current, said relay device being responsive to only one of said currents, a third conductor leading from the central station, common to all the boxes, and having a grounded connection through each of them, and a visible and an audible signal in each of said grounded connections, said relay device normally controlling said connections to open circuit them; substantially as described.

7 In a signal system, a two-wire circuit leading from a central station, a call box having two relays connected across said circuit, a third conductor also leading from the central station and grounded through the box, a signal device at the box, a recording device also at the box, said signal and recording devices being each connected with the third Wire and having their circuits normally opened through the action of the respective relay devices, means at the central station for energizing said relay devices to close said circuits, and means for then energizing the third Wire; substantially as described.

8. In a signal system, a two-wire circuit leading from a central station, a call box having a telephone set normally disconnected from said circuit, a switch device at the box for connecting said set into the circuit, a sending instrument connected to said circuit independently of the telephone set, a third conductor leading from central station and grounded through the box by a normally open circuit, a call signal in the last named circuit, a relay device at the box normally connected across the two-wire circuit, means at the central station for energizing the twowire circuit with either of two different kinds of current, means for separately energizing the third wire, and means whereby the relay circuit at the box is responsive to one only of said currents; substantially as described.

9. In a signal system, a two-wire circuit leading from a central station, a call box having a telephone set normally disconnected from said circuit, a switch device at the box for connecting said set into the circuit, a sending instrument connected to said circuit independently of the telephone set, a third conductor leading from central station and grounded through the box by a normally open circuit, a call signal in the last named circuit, a relay device at the box normally connected across the two-wire circuit, means at the central station for energizing the twowire circuit with either of two different kinds of current, means for separately energizing the third wire, and means whereby the relay circuit at the box is responsive to one only of said currents, said relay device having a restoring coil controlled by the switch for the telephone set; substantially as described.

10. In a signal system, a pair of main conductors, means for normally energizing said conductors and a third conductor leading out from a central station, a plurality of call boxes, a signal device at each box normally on an open circuit between the third conductor and ground, and means energized by current transmitted over the main conductors for closing the circuits of the signal devices, and means whereby the current closing devices are not responsive to the current normally flowing over the main conductors; substantially as described.

11. In a signal system, a pair of main conductors and a third conductor leading out from a central station, means for normally energizing the main conductors, a plurality of call boxes having signaling means connected across the main conductors in parallel, another signaling device at each box arranged to be connected from the third conductor to the ground but having a normally open circuit in the box, a circuit closing device in each box for such open circuit connected with the main conductors but irresponsive to the normal current flowing therein, and means for energizing the main conductors with another current to which the circuit closing devices are responsive; substantially as described.

12. In a signal system, a central station and a plurality of call stations, a two-wire metallic circuit leading out from the central station and common to all the call stations, a third wire leading out from the central station and having a normally open ground connection at each call station, means for normally energizing the metallic circuit; means at each call station, connected across the metallic circuit, for effecting communication with the central station, a signal at each call station in a circuit between the third wire and ground, a circuit closing device at each call station connected with the metallic circuit for closing the ground connection through the signal, said device being irresponsive to the current normally flowing through the metallic circuit, and means at the central station for temporarily energizing the metallic circuit with a current to which the said circuit closing devices are responsive; substantially as described.

13. In a signal system, a two-wire circuit leading from a central station, a call box having a telephone set normally disconnected from said circuit, a switch device at the box for connecting said set into the circuit, a sending instrument connected to said circuit independently of the telephone set, a third conductor leading from central station and grounded through the box by a normally open circuit, a call signal in the last named circuit, a relay device at the box normally connected across the two-wire cir cuit, means at the central station for energizing the two-wire circuit with either of two different kinds of current, means for separately energizing the third wire, and means whereby the relay circuit at the box is responsive to one only of said currents, to gether with means controlled by said sending instrument for sounding a fire alarm.

14:. In a signal system, a two-wire circuit leading from a central station, a plurality of call boxes each having a relay device connected across said circuit, means at the central station for energizing said circuit with either of two kinds of current, said relay device being responsive to only one of said currents, a third conductor leading from the central station, common to all the boxes, and having a grounded connection through each of them, and a signal in each of said grounded connections, said relay device normally controlling said connections to open circuit them, together with means at each box for reversing the act-ion of the relay device; substantially as described.

15. In a signal system of the character described, two main conductors, and a third conductor leading out from a central station, a patrol box having a signal instrument connected to the third conductor, the latter being grounded through the box, a relay device connected across the main conductors and controlling the circuit of the signal instrument, said relay device being irresponsive to the current normally flowing in the main conductors, means at the central station for independently energizing the main and third conductors and for temporarily energizing the main conductors with a current to which the relay device is responsive, and a light connected in circuit with the signal instrument and having its circuit further controlled by the door of the patrol box; substantially as described.

16. In a signal system, a central station, a call station, a two-wire metallic circuit leading out from the central station, a third wire also leading out from the central station and having a normally open ground connection at the call station, means for normally energizing the main conductors, a signal instrument at the call station connected to the main conductors, a recording instrument at the call station in the normally open ground connection of the third wire, a device for closing said ground connection, said device being connected to the main conductors but irresponsive to the current flowing therein, and means for temporarily energizing the main conductors with another current to which the circuit closing device is responsive; substantially as described.

17. In a signal system, a central station, a plurality of call stations, a two-wire metallic circuit and a third wire leading out from the central station and common to all the call stations, a normally open ground connection for the third wire at each call station, means for normally energizing the two wire circuit, a telephone set at each call station operatively connected with the twowire circuit, a signal device at each call station in the ground connection for the third wire, a circuit closing device at each call station for said ground connection, said device being irresponsive to the current normally flowing in the two-wire circuit, and means for temporarily energizing the twowire circuit with another current to which said device is responsive; substantially as described.

18. In a signal system, a central station, a plurality of call stations, a two-wire metallic circuit and a third wire leading out from the central station and common to all the call stations, a normally open ground connection for the third wire at each call station, means for normally energizing the two wire circuit, a telephone set at each call station operatively connected With the two-Wire circuit, a signal device at each call station in the ground connection for the third Wire, a circuit closing device at each call station for said ground connection said device being irresponsive to the current normally flowing in the two-Wire circuit, and means for telnporarily energizing the two-Wire circuit With another current to which said device is responsive, together with a code-transi'nitter at each call station and normally operatively ALFRED K. DEMENT.

Witnesses L. H. JOHNSON, H. M. CORWIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

